Chapter 25 – An Everlasting Dream

"Father, mother. Please sit. I have two announcements." The Ootori's gathered in the living room, where the Hamasaki's were already sitting down.

"What are they doing here?" Yoshio glared, ready to throw Makoto out of his house.

"They're here because I've asked them. This concerns them." Everyone looked at Chiyo and Kyoya who stood in between the two families." Kyoya handed a manila folder to Yoshio.

"This past month, I've done some research and found the 20% of our company shares in the hands of the Hatake Medical Group, one of our competing groups." Yoshio glared at Makoto.

"And I have successfully acquired our shares again." Akemi put a hand over her chest, relieved that the shares were back in safety. Everyone looked relieved and shocked at the news.

"How may I ask did you acquire this?" Yoshio crossed his legs and arms interrogatively.

"I played into Goro Hatake's habits. He has a habit of making bets with others. So I made a deal. We would simply bet on a stock offline and if I win, I get back the company shares. If he wins, I will pay him double the value of our shares in his possession." Chiyo gasped. Kyoya looked at her with gentle eyes, "Don't worry. He may be used to playing the game but he's no god of the stocks. I even let him pick the stock to bet on." Chiyo slightly frowned in worry. He had used a bit of manipulation in order to achieve his goals again. Old habits die hard, I guess. He gave her a reassuring look and turned back to his family.

"The shares are now back, and I will hand them to you, father." Yoshio raised an eyebrow at his son, "You don't want it? 20% shares are more than enough for you to control the Ootori group if you add onto the 10% you already have as being part of the family."

"I would be most honored and it would make me feel very accomplished. But the only thing I need is Chiyo." He took Chiyo's hand and showed them the ring.

"My second announcement is this: I have asked Chiyo to marry me and have gotten the Hamasaki's blessing. We would also like your blessing."

"So I suppose this is a bribe?" Yoshio asked sternly.

"No, father. We don't want a bribe disguised as a blessing. I just need you to know of the decisions I've made. We would really like your blessing and in extension, your approval." Kyoya bowed and Chiyo did the same. Akemi was overjoyed because she loved Chiyo and Kyoya loved her as well. Yoshio burst out laughing and everyone was shocked.

"Oh, don't mind me." Yoshio let his chuckle die down as he wiped away a tear. He got up and looked at Kyoya in the eye.

"If you wish to marry Hamasaki, that's fine with me. You have my blessing." He left the room and Akemi nodded at them before following her husband out.

"You did that on purpose!" Akemi gasped in realization. They were back in their room. Yoshio turned half of his body to look at her.

"Hmm? How's that?" He smiled with mocking innocence.

"To end the engagement, you did that on purpose. Did you plan for the accumulator as well?"

"I know that arranging the engagement was hard on both of them and I knew they would want to get married on their own terms. If I told them that, they wouldn't realize what to do on their own and I very much couldn't break the engagement without reason, now could I?" He winked with the mischievous Ootori grin.

"How did you ever manage all of this?"

"The Ootori way." He smirked. She put her hands on her hips, "And you're not going to tell me? Am I not an Ootori?" Yoshio sighed. Sometimes Akemi was just a little troublesome sometimes, but that was alright... Nevertheless, he didn't deny her underlying request.

"Hatake and I have an understanding. If he'd cooperate with me on this little ruse, there might be a bigger benefit for him than just owning our company shares. All he had to do was steal the 20%. Kyoya may or may not figure it out. If he did and he approaches Hatake, Hatake will deal with it as the business man he is. If Kyoya couldn't win back the shares, then he would not have passed." Akemi raised an eyebrow. That must be a big profit if it was much more appealing than 20% of the Ootori Group shares. Kyoya's deal was also quite convincing. Hatake could have said no and kept the shares and whatever benefit Yoshio presented to him. It was a huge gamble, very risky.

"You would do that?"

"The results were more important to me than anything I offered to Hatake. And I wouldn't have done it if I didn't think Kyoya was ready."

"And Makoto?"

"He knew that I was disappointed with the way he was as a partner. I figured, if this gave him a scare, maybe he'd learn his lesson. But if Kyoya failed to come through, so would he. Now that everything is alright, Makoto and I will figure out something that will work with us."

"You manipulator! You and Kyoya are so alike. Kyoya is definitely your son." Yoshio turned back to his wife and pulled her close. Akemi was gasped at the long, overdue lack of distance between them. Something about Kyoya passing the test puts Yoshio in the best mood she's ever seen him in.

"Of course! Where do you think Kyoya gets it from? I've never doubted he's my son. Why? Did you?" he teased. Akemi playfully hit his arm but gave him a hug. Yoshio lost his rare smile and pulled back.

"This also served as a test to Kyoya. To see how willing he will fight for what he wants. But I didn't expect him to give me back the shares. What if I've dangled the opportunity for so long that he got tired of it and doesn't take it when I give it to him? What if after acquiring the shares, he realizes that it's always been easy to take it from me and he lost interest in it?" Akemi laughed.

"You're impossible! You cooked up all of this, so sure of yourself, and now you think you overdid it. Of course Kyoya would take it! And I'm sure Chiyo would remind him of how important this is for him and for you." Yoshio nodded. Hopefully, but he still wanted one more safety measure to make sure everything was in its place.

"Everything is okay now." Chiyo sighed and lay back on her bed. She missed this home she and Kyoya built together. Kyoya looked at his fiancée and crawled next to her. He rested on his side and used his arm to prop up his head.

"Everything is more than okay. It's perfect." Chiyo nodded and closed her eyes. Kyoya watched her and made circles on her hip. He closed his eyes as well, still tracing circles. Chiyo opened her eyes and looked at Kyoya. Now with the light and without the tension, Chiyo could see just how tired Kyoya was. She sat up and put a hand on his face, "You're so tired." He took her hands in his.

"I've been working nonstop this month. I had to finish the exams, solve our family issues, and keep up with the host club. Even if I could catch a breath, I couldn't do anything else but worry about you." He closed his eyes and welcomed her tender touch.

Chiyo's eyebrows knit together in concern, "I'm so sorry that you had to worry about me, about us. And you've handled everything remarkably in light of everything that had happened." He was impossible and amazing! She gave him a kiss and he returned full of need and desire. He missed her so much. He picked up her waist and settled her on top of him. This position was familiar and something they both desired to go past. They fell back and rolled over, letting Kyoya take over.

"Will you move back here or are you still at your family's house until we get married?" He asked breathlessly. No matter how tired he was, this was exactly what he wanted and needed right now.

"If it wasn't for the arranged marriage, we wouldn't even live with each other to begin with." Chiyo said in between kisses but pulled away really quick, "I would go home and wait until our marriage as any traditional couple would, but I don't want to spend another night without you." Kyoya encircled her waist in his arms, "I'm glad."

"But you're still waiting until our marriage to get any of this." She teased. She got up before Kyoya could protest and she went to the bathroom to take a shower. He laughed and stared at the space she last occupied, missing her already.

As if God was so eager to see the blessed unity, the process of bringing everything together for the wedding has been as smooth as silk. They kept the same date of the wedding. It turns out, Kyoya was so confident in himself that he had already secretly sent out the invitations in a timely manner and finished deciding on the remaining wedding details, despite the wedding was called off without public knowledge. That only reinforced Chiyo's love for him in how well he can take care of everything.

Despite of what the women wanted to have the perfect wedding for Chiyo, she was still the simple girl Kyoya fell in love with. The wedding was not as expensive as everyone thought it would be but the quality was not neglected from that trade off. The wedding theme was An Everlasting Dream, the credit was due to the merged idea of the wedding cake and the previous wedding details. The church was a large squared space so the curved pews were set up in four corners, all facing the circular stage. The stage entrances were surrounded by white arches with purple roses and jasmines neatly scattered on. On the back of each pew, there was a small bag of jasmines spaced evenly between each other on the length of the pew. Instead of using the piano or organ, they had a quartet of cello, violins, and piano to play Canon.

Chiyo could barely breathe. She contained her excitement and the nervousness settled in. There was no doubt in her mind that she wanted to marry Kyoya but this was a big step. This was the wedding jitters everyone keeps talking about. She took in a huge breath as she looked at herself in the mirror one last time. She felt even more beautiful in the wedding dress than the first time she's tried it. Her hair was curled and was half up in intricate folds. The hairstylist adorned her hair with little diamonds scattered all around her hair and clipped a purple rose on the side of her head. Her makeup was light and softened her features even more than she already was. In the right lighting, she glowed and everything about her looked hazy like a beautiful dream. But that effect wouldn't work without that glow came from the inside out.

Her veil sparkled with real crystals and had laced edges which was her something borrowed by Akemi. Sachiko gave Chiyo a crystal bracelet from her wedding as her something old. Her bridesmaids had come together to buy her beautiful diamond necklace with a large alexandrite gemstone in the center to match her engagement ring as her something new. Kyoya bought a lace garter with a sapphire diamond as the something blue.

Makoto came in to escort his daughter. He stopped at the doorway and covered his mouth, tears forming out of pure joy, "My daughter, you look beautiful." She smiled and held her hands out for him to take. He still kept his distance to look at his daughter in a whole, "I'm so happy for you today." Chiyo smiled, she was still speechless herself. He held out his arm and she took it and they walked out of the bride's room together. Her heart pounded with each step she took to the sanctuary.

Double doors opened and the first thing she saw when she looked up was Kyoya standing on the stage, turning around to see Chiyo. Kyoya's jaw slightly dropped when he saw his beautiful bride. The wedding was not the everlasting dream, she was. He couldn't believe his eyes. He didn't know that Chiyo could be even more beautiful than she already is. Chiyo blushed and quietly giggled; only her father heard her. She tightened her grip on her father's arm even harder. She needed to hold on to something to make sure this wasn't a dream. They walked down the aisle with scattered purple rose petals.

They got to the arch and that's where Kyoya stepped down to meet them. He took Chiyo and bowed to Makoto and he returned it. Kyoya squeezed Chiyo's hand, "You are so beautiful." She looked all around Kyoya, "You are even more handsome." He led her up the stage very carefully like she was glass. He felt the need to be absolutely gentle with her today.

The two of them held hands as the ceremony went on. She couldn't believe that they were doing this. She didn't expect to get married so young but the love was so strong, she had every intention to marry the man beside her today. Kyoya never imagined to get married so young either, much less fall in love. But here he was. He's slaved for two months in order to make this happen and it was all worth it and more. This was unbelievable to the both of them.

Nothing in the past year was anything I expected. You are so charming and supportive. You gave me strength to get through the things that I never thought I'd be challenged with and was not equipped to handle by myself. You've walked beside me through everything. You showed me what it meant to be in love; to truly be in love. You sustain me. You strengthen me. You've held on to me when I was falling and helped me to get back up. You've been patient and caring. You are wonderful and encouraging. You are everything I need. You are my world. You bring joy to my life. Being with you every day is my dream.

Kyoya Ootori, I'm here to declare that you have my heart. Whatever time I have left in my life, I promise to stay beside you and to love you always. I will cherish every moment with you. I promise to love and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, for sickness and in health, and so much more than all of these. I will put you above all else. I love you.

She let out a breath. She was finally able to say these words to him and more. Tears were already forming when she was speaking. Now the tears were shed when Kyoya started to speak.

Chiyo Hamasaki, you came into my life and showed me love and care that I never knew I craved for. You bring out the best in people and you make me a better person. I've fallen for your gentle and caring soul and your competitive and honest nature captured my attention. I don't know how I ever even survived without you and now, thank God that I will never have to feel that way ever again. You are a wonderful. You make me feel complete. No one will ever understand what you mean to me. You are the only one who can ever bring light to my shadows.

I promise that I will continue to love you more than you could ever imagine. I promise that you will never get sick for my sake. I promise to love and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, for sickness and in health. My love for you will never diminish. Together, we form the bond of love. I will go to hell and back for you. I love you forever.

Everyone was dead silent as they said their vows, drinking in the love that just emitted off of the couple like the heat waves of the sun. Even some of the invited host guests who used to fawn over Kyoya had shed tears and blessed the couple from the bottom of their hearts.

The reception lounge was beautiful. The inside lounged served well for cocktail hour and the weather outside was perfect and they had heating lamps all around just in case. A large mosquito net hung over the reception dining area so high up, it was hardly noticeable. Lavenders and roses hung around the trellis of vines growing on the wall. Soft Christmas lights around the walls glowed like a dream. The table cloths were white and had dark purple and lavender fine china dining sets. In the middle of the table were purple sparklers to set off when the reception would come to an end. Candles were everywhere. On the other side of property was the large field. Last time Chiyo didn't get to see it, but there was a small round lake farther down the field. There, Kyoya had placed little lantern boats and had extras for children to release themselves into the lake. Kyoya also arranged to make floating lanterns, ready to be lit and had all the guests write some sort of blessing for the couple. Chiyo wanted both so Kyoya would give her nothing less.

"To be honest with everyone here, when I first heard that Chiyo was getting married so young, I freaked out," Katelyn made everyone laugh at the beginning of her maid-of-honor speech, "I didn't know who this Kyoya was but I immediately judged him. I've had my doubts about marriage and how it would work out between him and Chiyo." She didn't say it, but the families and entourage understood that she had meant about the difference in class.

"There was a point where I felt like this would not work out. Chiyo and Kyoya had their fair share of bumps and bruises along the way to standing here in front of everyone today, pledging their love for each other." Once again, she hinted at the end of the arranged marriage, "And today is the day that Kyoya proves me wrong. These two defied all the odds I bet against them. And to me, that just proves that that they are so much stronger than I have ever give them credit for. Kyoya, you are the most determined man I've ever met and I thank you for that. Chiyo, I am trusting that Kyoya is more than capable to be the husband you want and need and you know how much that means to me. You've given me hope for my own future and you will never understand how much that means to me. I thank you and bless the both of you. To the bride and groom!" She raised her glass and everyone stood up to raise their glasses to the bride and groom. Chiyo cried and gave Katelyn a giant hug, "You are my best friend. I love you!" Katelyn smiled and stuck out her tongue to Kyoya, "She still loves me."

Kyoya grabbed Chiyo and gave her a knee-weakening kiss, that everyone cheered for, and looked at Katelyn, "Sorry, today is about me and Chiyo. Get out of here." He joked. Katelyn laughed and raised her glass to Kyoya, "I'm happy for the both of you, truly."

Later, the couple had went in for their first dance and over half of the guests went in to watch while the others stayed behind to finish eating and to watch through the windows. At the last note, everyone applauded and Chiyo and Kyoya kissed.

"Attention everyone." Yoshio was on the stage holding the mic. Everyone looked to the stage.

"Kyoya, I am proud of the man you have come to be. So well in fact, that I would like to announce that Kyoya Ootori is the successor to the Ootori Group. Starting next month, he will take control of the Ootori Group." He put the mic back on the stand as everyone applauded and cheered for Kyoya who's face gaped at his father with as much surprise as he could muster on his face. Chiyo smiled, expecting this. Yoshio walked up to his son, "I am so pleased with everything you have done thus far. Do not disappoint me." Kyoya closed his mouth and retreated the amazed look on his face, "Yes, father. Thank you." Yoshio looked at Chiyo, this time with a more tender expression.

"Thank you, Chiyo for helping me to cultivate Kyoya into what he is today." Chiyo almost laughed. It sounded as if Kyoya was a plant.

"And for that, I am transferring that 20% shares to you." Chiyo's heart practically stopped and looked every bit of shock as Kyoya was a second ago. Yoshio said nothing more and walked away. Chiyo and Kyoya looked at each other in astonishment.

"Did he just–?"

"Yup." Kyoya nodded.

"Can I–?"

"Nope." Chiyo nodded once and moved forward to hold close to her husband. She felt weak at the knees, taking it all in. Kyoya didn't miss a beat and held her up and supported her. He gently swayed them both to the music, guiding her body.

"Well, do you know what this means? You're not just my wife and the daughter of our partner. You are officially highly regarded to the society elites by your ownership of Ootori Group shares." Kyoya smiled, understanding what his father has done. Chiyo twitched a smile, understanding the same thing. She felt overwhelmed by the sudden responsibility of power but then Chiyo smiled when she remembered one thing: as long as she had Kyoya, she could achieve anything and as long as Kyoya had her, he would never lose sight of what was important in life.

All was perfect.

All of a sudden, they heard a loud random voice, "Hold up. Wait a minute, Haruhi's a girl?!"

THE END

A/N: And this is where I say farewell. I can't believe I finished this story in a month and the timeline I cooked up was even better than I imagined. I can't believe it's over so soon. I've only ever completed 5-6 chapter stories in my lifetime and this is the first completed one as an adult. The others where when I was in middle school and just started so they sucked. Except for one, I liked it a lot but I lost the story. :(

I kind of wanted to stretch out my chapter publishing a little longer, you know, just to keep my story to be read by those who take a glance at the first page of the OHSHC category but I couldn't resist letting those who are already reading my story to wait; you guys are the actual fans of this story and my priority group. Thank you so much for those who supported me this month, I loved all your encouraging words. Oh, and btw for those who read this, is there anything for me to improve? I'm very open to constructive criticism.

And I'm curious, TELL ME, WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE CHAPTER? OR PART? DID YOU LIKE CLASSIC, COOL AND CLEVER KYOYA? OR THE SOFTER LOVING SIDE?

This won't be the last you'll see my stories, but so far i've only written once story per category. I can rarely come up with another story in the same world but you never know. I have so many story ideas that don't belong in the fanfiction world but I could tweak the plots to make them match characters I know of, so who knows? Maybe you'll look over my stuff and see if the worlds i write in are the same ones that you're interested in. More readers, yay!

Hehe, i love my ending about Haruhi. I couldn't just ignore that! I mean, that was what the story of OHSHC was built on!